Tape reel



United States Patent France Filed Sept. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 394,905 Claims priority, application France, June 23, 1964,

3 Claims. e1. 242 s4.s

The present invention has for its object an arrangement for linear measurements, chiefly a multiple ten yard rule of the so-called framed type, including a measuring tape of yielding material, wound round a drum fitted between the two flanges forming the frame, which flanges are interconnected at one of their ends by a handle while their other ends carry means for guiding the tape; the drum carrying the tape is controlled by a collapsible crank adapted to be engaged or disengaged with reference to the drum selectively for winding the tape and for allowing its free unwinding. A mechanism for locking the drum is furthermore provided with a view to preventing any undesired unwinding of the tape with reference to the crank.

In all known simple ten yard rules, in which the diameter of the winding formed by the coiled tape is reduced and of which the weight is consequently limited, the handle is generally secured in alignment with the flanges of the frame and the latter prevents alone any shifting of the convolutions of the tape in a direction parallel to its winding axis. The handle allows, in such a case, holding the arrangement, without any fatigue, upwardly, horizontally or even downwardly, through the mere action of the pivotal connection between the users forearm and wrist. An improved type of such a handle, which is well known per se, shows, on one side of said handle, notches adapted to further the grasping of the handle and operatively connected with the tape winding and locking mechanism.

Multiple framed ten yard rules are also known which are adapted to carry a tape of a length up to 100 yards, which rules are designed in a manner similar to the simple above referred to ten yard rules. In the present case, however, the diameter of the winding formed by the coiling of the tape convolutions requires arms engaged by the outer convolutions of the wound tape. Said arms are generally constituted by projections extending at right angles on the flanges forming the case and assume the shape of a cross in registry with the axis of the drum. The flanges and auxiliary arms are obtained as a single unitary part cut out of a rigid material, but the losses of material consequent on said cutting out are large and increase the cost price of such embodiments.

On the other hand, and by reason of the length of the tape, said multiple ten yard rules are heavy. The handle which was hitherto secured to an extension of the flanges cannot be grasped easily so that the control of the arrangement is a difficult matter. As a matter of fact, its weight prevents its being held horizontally or upwardly and it must be held downwardly, which prevents the natural movement of the users arm so that said user becomes speedily tired and risks dropping the rule.

The present invention has now for its object an arrangement for linear measurements, such as a multiple ten yard rule, which cuts out said drawbacks.

According to a primary feature of the invention, the handle is secured substantially at right angles with reference to the flanges.

According to a further feature of the invention, the auxiliary guiding strips provided for the wound convolutions of the tape wound round the drum are secured to the actual flanges on the side of the axis of the drum facing away from the handle.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example and in an non-limiting sense a preferred embodiment of said invention.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the linear measuring instrument as seen from above.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of said instrument as seen from underneath.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the side of the arrangement facing away from the handle.

The instrument includes a drum 1 fitted between two flanges 2 and 3 of each of which one end is secured to a handle 4 while the opposite ends of the flanges are interconnected by the stays 5. Round the drum 1 is wound a tape 6 which may be made of synthetic material or of an elastically yielding metal for instance. The inner end of the tape is secured to the drum whereas its outer end carries for instance a ring 7 through which it may be drawn out. A mechanism for winding and unwinding the tape with reference to the drum includes a collapsible crank 8 adapted to be connected operatively with the drum when projecting outwardly so as to control the rotation of said drum.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the crank is shown in its inoperative collapsed position, while its handle-forming portion 9 engages the flanges; the surface of the instrument shown in FIG. 2 which is opposed to the crank carries a mechanism adapted to lock the drum when it is disconnected with reference to the crank; said mechanism includes a pusher member 10 adapted to slide over the flange 3 and cooperating with a shoulder or notch 20 formed on the drum.

Thus, in its disconnected position, the drum may be locked so as to cut out any untimely unwinding of the tape or, in contradistinction, it may be released so as to rotate and to allow the tape to unwind by a predetermined length, independently of the crank.

The handle 4 is secured approximately at right angles with reference to the flanges 2 and 3 and is provided with notches 11 formed in the surface of the handle facing the drum. Moreover, the handle which is advantageously made of plastic material carries on its lateral surface ribs 22 which further its grasping. By reason of said arrangement at right angles of the handle with reference to the flanges, the instrument may be carried in ones hands vertically. Its operation is thus ensured in a practical and convenient manner in spite of its often large weight due to a very long tape reaching up to yards for instance.

As a matter of fact, when held in the users hands, in alignment with his forearm and wrist, the instrument cannot lead to any substantial muscular fatigue for the user who operates the instrument through his other hand to ensure an unwinding or rewinding of the measuring tape at a high speed.

To the flanges 2 and 3 are secured tuansvemsely arms 12 and 13 formed preferably by shaped metal members formed, for example, of stamped metal sheets, riveted or otherwise secured to said flanges. Said arms form a V- shaped structure of which the tips are directed towards the side of the drum facing the handle of the instrument. The point at which the arms are secured to the fname is eccentrically shifted with reference to the pivotal axis of the drum towards the side opposed to the handle.

The axes A and B of the arms to either side of the flanges meet the diamebrical line C of the drum which is perpendicular to the fl ansges in the areas registering with the outer convolutions of the wound tape. It is thus possible to prevent the convolutions from separating from each other in a lateral direction, in particular when the tape is very long and rnleasures say 100 yards, said outer convolutions being held in position by said arms. The eccentricity of their position on the flanges with reference Patented July 19, 1966- to the rotary axis of the drum allows limiting the. breadth of the instrument.

Furthermore, the independent machining of the flanges and of the arms is performed in a speedier and more economical manner than it was possible hitherto in the case of flanges and arms cut out of a single part.

The instrument thus described associates technical advantages which allow its convenient practical use while its execution is economical and its aesthetic appearance is pleasant. As a matter of fact, the V shape given to the arms holding the convolutions of the tape in position gives the arrangement a particularly attractive appearance and dilferences in colour which are obtained for instance by the combination of various materials such as plastic material, brass, aluminium,- sheet metal, reinforce this attractiveness.

Obviously, the invention is by no means limited to what is described hereinabove or illustrated in the accomlpanying drawings. It is even possible to simplify the structure by cutting out the ribs on the handle or by moulding as a unit the. handle and the flanges.

What I claim is:

1. A tape reel comprising:

(A) a drum having a tape wound thereon;

(B) a pair of spaced elongated members between which said drum is rotatably mounted;

(C) a handle rigid with corresponding ends of said members and at substantially right angles thereto;

(D) a collapsible crank operatively connected at one end thereof to said drum for controlling the rotation of said drum when projecting outwardly therefrom and a handle-forming portion at the other end, said portion being adapted to engage said elongated members when said crank is in its inoperative position; (E) transverse V-shaped arms secured to each of said members, said arms being mounted eccentrically with respect to the axis of said drum; said arms having the tips thereof directed toward said handle and being positioned on the sides of said tape on said drum for preventing the convolutions of said tape from laterally separating. 2. The tape reel of claim 1, wherein said drum has a notch formed thereon and a sliding member is provided 1011 one of said elongated members to cooperate with said notch to lock said drum in position.

3. The tape reel of claim 1, wherein said handle has ribs on the lateral surface thereof to aid in grasping the same.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 421,835 2/1890 Kendrick 24284.8 475,470 5/1892 Roe 24284.8 578,205 3/189'7 Brown et a1. 24284.8 3,001,738 9/1961 Quenot 24284.8

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Examiner.

N. L. MINTZ, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TAPE REEL COMPRISING: (A) A DRUM HAVING A TAPE WOUND THEREON; (B) A PAIR OF SPACED ELONGATED MEMBERS BETWEEN WHICH SAID DRUM IS ROTATABLY MOUNTED; (C) A HANDLE RIGID WITH CORRESPONDING ENDS OF SAID MEMBERS AND AT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLES THERETO; (D) A COLLAPSIBLE CRANK OPERATIVELY CONNECTED AT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID DRUM FOR CONTROLLING THE ROTATION OF SAID DRUM WHEN PROJECTING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND A HANDLE-FORMING PORTION AT THE OTHER END, SAID PORTION BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS WHEN SAID CRANK IS IN ITS INOPERATIVE POSITION; 